I have been a writer for over a decade, and editor for seven years , a WordPress developer for six years, an internet marketing consultant for five years, an adjunct professor for three years, and a student of organizational leadership for two years. I have built this extensive set of skills as a bit of an insurance policy. We live in a dynamic world and, for my generation at least, the promise of spending a career with one company is gone. So, I’ve built a wide skill set to insulate me from changes in the job market. As my wife’s career requires occasional location changes, I’ve found it important to learn and refine skills that are location independent, that is, that I can do from anywhere in the US or the world.
Writing and Content Creation
Even before my graduate program at Clemson University in History, I spent years as a writer, both within and outside the classroom. In the fall of 2005, I joined LexisNexis as a writer and editor, responsible for creating historical content to accompany our microfilm collections. In recent years, I have transitioned to digital products, but continue to write and edit content in widely varied historical arenas. You can check out any of the content I’ve written on this site, on my triathlon site FitEgg, or check out my list of publications. The publication list is incomplete and if a full list is important, please let me know. If you’re interested in discussing how I can help your site, product, or business with content creation, please contact me.
Editorial Project Management
During four years with LexisNexis, I managed a number of editorial projects, including monthly and yearly publications and digital and print products. In this role, I worked with internal employees, home based employees, editors across the country and in the UK, and contractors in India and the Philippines. No project ever missed a revenue target date. A full list of my projects with LexisNexis is available at my LinkedIn page or at the bottom of my Publications page. In addition, in my work creating and launching websites for clients, I take the role of editorial project manager, managing content creation or revision, assigning deadlines, ensuring product quality, and taking responsibility for all content decisions before launch. If you’d like to discuss how I can bring order and accountability to your editorial project, please contact me.
Editing
Starting at LexisNexis, my responsibility grew from creating content individually to reviewing and approving content from other employees and vendors before publication. As mentioned above, much of this work was as an Editorial Project Manager, but since joining ProQuest in January of 2011, my editorial responsibilities have increased. About two years ago, in early 2011, I was promoted to Senior Editor. My experience is in editing for print and digital publication. If you would like more information about my editing services or to set up a time to discuss in person, please contact me.
Site Design and Development
Growing out of a personal need, I started working with WordPress and other open-source content management systems about six years ago. I have designed e-commerce storefronts, business sites and nonprofit sites. I have assisted blog owners and small business owners with troubleshooting and small repairs. I am not the least expensive WordPress developer, but my sites launch on time and they simply work. You can check out a portfolio here and then contact me when you’re ready to discuss how I can help you make your dream site a reality.
Internet Marketing
Starting in 2007, I began teaching myself search engine optimization and search marketing. Over the years, I have navigated Google’s algorithm updates and numerous changes to the search landscape. I have a special interest in local search optimization and helping small, local businesses find and retain customers online. I currently offer SEO and SEM services, in addition to social media management, content creation, and advertising account management. I only accept a fixed number of clients at once, so please contact me if you’d like to discuss how I can improve your internet marketing presence.
Speaking
If there’s one think I like more than hearing myself speak, it’s…heck, I can’t think of anything. I am available to speak to audiences of any size, though hopefully larger than two, on any number of topics. Previous presentations include social media training for adults, churches, and nonprofit organizations. I have also presented to small and medium size businesses on the importance of local search marketing and establishing a web presence to attract and retain customers. I have presentations available on implementing a social media policy for your business, explaining search marketing and local search marketing, Do-It-Yourself SEO for small businesses, and am working on a presentation for high school, college, and graduate students on Micro-Entrepreneurship. If my schedule allows, I do not require an honorarium for any presentations, whether to nonprofit or civic organizations, business groups, or individual companies, assuming extensive travel is not required. Of course, my speaking schedule depends on many other factors, so please contact me as soon as possible regarding your request.
Consulting
In addition to providing these services, I also frequently work with companies to create strategy. If you have a large editorial project, website or product launch, or new marketing initiative, I can serve as your representative and coordinate other vendors and contractors. I find this relationship works quite well for many companies that are happy with the services of their current vendors, but do not have the time or experience to fully manage the relationship. As your consultant, I am paid a flat fee for the management of a project, which ensures that I represent your best interests, not the solution that is most profitable for your contractor. Because of the high-touch nature of this consulting, I am only able to take a very limited number of clients at any one time. Please contact me as soon as possible if you believe your company will benefit from my oversight.
Discussions